JAMES FARQUHAR FROM LITHERLAND AND SOUTHPORT BREACHES SEX OFFENDER RULES IN PHILIPPINES AND GREECE

In a serious breach of legal obligations, James Farquhar, a convicted sex offender with ties to Litherland and Southport, has been found to have violated the conditions of his sex offender registration by traveling abroad without proper authorization. The incident, which has led to his re-arrest and subsequent imprisonment, highlights the ongoing challenges authorities face in monitoring individuals with a history of sexual offenses.

Farquhar, who previously served a lengthy prison sentence for multiple rapes, was under strict legal obligations to inform police if he applied for a passport or traveled outside the country. Despite these requirements, it was revealed during a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court that he applied for a passport in November 2019. Less than four months later, in March 2020, he embarked on a month-long holiday to the Philippines, a trip he did not disclose to authorities as mandated.

Following his return from the Philippines, Farquhar's offender manager was informed of his travel plans, prompting an investigation into how he obtained his passport and whether he had complied with the reporting requirements. The police did not interview Farquhar until November 2020, by which time he had also spent a week on the Greek island of Kos earlier that year. This delay in questioning raised questions about the adequacy of the monitoring process and whether authorities could have acted sooner if they had been aware of his activities.

Prosecutor Derek Jones emphasized that if the police had any specific concerns about Farquhar’s conduct during his trips abroad, he might have been detained earlier. The court heard that Farquhar, now 62 years old and residing on Ford Lane in Litherland, but formerly of Southport, had deliberately ignored the legal obligations placed upon him. His actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the rules designed to protect the community from individuals deemed a risk due to their past offenses.

During the court proceedings, Farquhar claimed ignorance of the reporting requirements, a claim that was dismissed by Judge Garrett Byrne. The judge pointed out that Farquhar traveled fully aware that he was breaking the law, and his failure to notify authorities was a clear violation of the conditions of his sex offender registration.

Farquhar pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching the Sex Offenders Register requirements. As a result, he was sentenced to nine months in prison. His previous criminal history includes a 2005 conviction for five counts of rape involving a girl aged between 16 and 20. At that time, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was later reduced to 12 years on appeal. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

In addition to his 2005 convictions, Farquhar received a suspended sentence in February 2018 for assaulting his former partner and staying at her residence longer than permitted without police notification. His criminal record underscores the ongoing concerns about his compliance with legal restrictions and the potential risk he poses to the community.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of diligent monitoring and enforcement of sex offender regulations, especially for individuals with a history of serious sexual crimes. Authorities continue to work to prevent such breaches and ensure public safety in areas including Litherland and Southport, where Farquhar’s past and recent actions have come under scrutiny.